Andrea Ball and Joanne Rich, librarians at the University of Washington Health Sciences Library, will present about recording interviews and lectures and creating interactive modules to expand the reach of the library’s instruction to more patrons. Noel Nicolai, Library Resource/Research Coordinator for Education for Pullman Regional Hospital and Becky Highfill, Grants Manager with Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation, will present how they increased health literacy and access to health information to the senior population in Whitman county Washington through interactive training.

PNR Partners is a webinar to feature the work of members who have received funding from the PNR. Each presenter has an opportunity to speak about the great work they have done and offer their tips. If you are considering a health program or service you may want to attend to have the opportunity to ask questions. PNR has announced new funding opportunities and the deadline is approaching.

How to connect: Please note, we have changed our webinar system to WebEx. Please read below how to connect to this free webinar. (more…)

Over the years NLM talked with hundreds of science teachers of all grade levels from all over the country. These teachers were asked what they wanted from NLM resources. Since science concepts can be difficult to understand and to remember many of these science teachers requested animated videos or games to help supplement their curricula and help students better understand concepts of science using a method they would find enjoyable. Whether wanting to pair DNA or learn about chemicals, these games offered by NLM are a fun and creative way for students to better grasp concepts and reinforce learning.

Bohr Thru: 3-match style game which requires users to collect and organize protons, neutrons and electrons in order to create Bohr models that represent the first 18 elements on the periodic table, such as Carbon, Nitrogen and Lithium. With the help of the main character, Atom, players become familiar with a variety of chemical elements and their structures. Teachers can easily implement short, in-class game sessions to enhance their students’ understanding of the periodic table.

ToxInvaders: Players learn about chemicals and the environment by engaging in an interactive shooter game to protect the environment from toxic chemicals. Quizzes are taken to progress between levels. A detailed tutorial is included. Available for iPhone and iPad.

Base Chase: Learn the bases of DNA with this fast-paced, educational app. Players grab bases of DNA in order to complete unique DNA strands for a variety of animals. DeeNA, the game’s cartoon mascot, assists players in completing each of the required tasks. The game includes a helpful tutorial. Available for iPhone and iPad.

Run4Green: The importance of environmental conservation is reinforced through this interactive, slide scrolling game. Topics, such as greenhouse gas reduction, renewable energy and green product purchases are emphasized throughout game play. Playing as a jolly, green and earth-shaped character, users collect coins and perform environmentally friendly tasks. The game is appropriate for students in grades 5-8. Available for iPhone and iPad. (more…)

This is a guest post by Andrea Harrow, MLS, Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, CA, about the PNR Journal Club, held over a period of eight weeks from February 8 through March 21, 2016.

I responded to an invitation sent out on a listserv for involvement in a new journal club–an opportunity for librarians to discuss issues in data curation and data management. Twelve librarians from across the US also signed up to give it a try. This journal club, hosted by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Pacific Northwest Region, met online within Moodle and live via four AdobeConnect sessions. This club followed the MLA’s Discussion Group Program structure and the new PubMed Commons Journal Clubs commenting format. (more…)

Hook ‘Em & Keep ‘Em: How Trout U. is Engaging Library Users through Social Media to Build Community is the next PNR Rendezvous session where Montana State University librarians will tell us how they have incorporated social media in the library.

Social media is a powerful means to build community among our users, as well as to engage new users. PNR Rendezvous participants will learn best practices for using Social Media to engage library users, including the creation of a social media guide, and a posting plan and schedule for ongoing targeted engagement with users across multiple platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Participants will also learn about collaborative social media campaign efforts that the MSU Library participated in with the Montana Historical Society and others. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and share their own social media practices or plans to experiment with social media in order to share and learn about successes and strategies happening in libraries in the region.

So, whether you’re considering using social media in the library or want to expand the use of it, please join us for some tips as well as a chance to share your social media wisdom.

When: March 16, 1:00pm Pacific Time, Noon Alaska Time, 2:00pm Mountain Time (more…)

Several online and in-person training opportunities can help jump-start your learning of data science topics. Some of the short courses and intensive training programs listed below are offered in conjunction with NIH Big Data To Knowledge (BD2K) initiative programs. BD2K is a trans-NIH initiative established to enable biomedical research as a digital research enterprise, to facilitate discovery and support new knowledge, and to maximize community engagement. (more…)

This post includes a roundup of events where National Institutes of Health (NIH) Data Science and Big Data to Knowledge (BD2K) initiatives will be represented, an overview of current funding, and a recap of the Big Data to Knowledge Multi-Council Working Group meeting held last month. Learn more about the Data Science at NIH site. (more…)